I have a personal challenge to grow 1000 starts and sell them at the local farmers market in the spring. So, I have decided to get my gardening thumb wet early this year.

Yesterday, I pre-soaked Purple Basil and Italian Parsley seeds by placing the seeds in a wet paper towel. Then, I put the seeds in a warm place. Pre-soaking will accelerate the germination time. The quicker you get the seed to sprout the greater its chances for survival will be.

I am planting the seeds in pre-soaked peet pucks. The pucks are in a tray that is heated with a heat pad and covered with a plastic lid to keep the seeds warm and moist.

As I am a novice gardener, I am learning from the people I interview for Urban Roots and I am referencing some great gardening books.  I am finding Mel Bartholomew's SQUARE FOOT GARDENING very helpful. I especially like his table for timing seed planting.